To “line” your food with those great “marks” just like you see in magazines, allow grid to heat thoroughly before adding food.

Some food safety tips: Always serve cooked food from a grill on a clean plate - never one that held raw food. In hot weather never leave food out longer than 1 hr. and old adage keep hot foods hot and cold food cold applies whenever you cook outdoors.

One last hint - secret to evenly cooked vegetables on a kabob is to parboil starchy vegetables before they are threaded on a skewer. Sauces: steaks and chops - baste with sauce after you have flipped meat for last time, about last 3 mins. of grilling; Chicken - baste last 10 mins. Hot dogs/sausage - baste last 5-6 mins. However seasoned oils may be brushed during entire time entree is grilling.

With just a few of these hints, you are on your way to a summertime of great outdoor eating and your grilled food will make you proud. ENJOY! ©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 April

8. Keep a backup supply of detergent, softener and stain remover. When you open last one, add it to grocery list. Laundry items are so expensive it pays to stock up whenever there is a sale.

9. Pick up a good stain remover chart and POST it in laundry room.

10. Have a designated place for items which need mending. Every week or month, mend them or drop them off at seamstress.

11. Hang a bag in your closet or in laundry room for dry clean only items. Set up a routine to drop off and pick up on certain days each month. Some dry cleaners will even deliver.

12. Keep a small basket in laundry room for "found" items such as money and buttons. Use another one for mate-less socks since they will probably show up next time.